Father and son brave rainstorm to complete cycle ride

A FATHER-and-son team from Malvern braved "horrendous" conditions during a fundraising cycle ride in and around London.

David Toye, aged 72, and Matthew Toye, 42, had signed up to the Prudential Ride 100 to raise money for the charity Breast Cancer Care.

But on the day, weather conditions, affected by the tail-end of Hurricane Bertha, were so bad that 14 miles were cut out of the course by anxious race organisers.

"This was a pity, though it proved to be the correct decision as the day unfolded," said Mr Toye, who lives in Upper Welland.

"Former British cycling champion Chris Boardman described on BBC the storm conditions as 'torrential, becoming biblical before turning horrendous'. He and I both rode in the event and I would not argue with his view."

Rain hammered down for the first half of the course, not only soaking riders to the skin, but making cycling conditions hazardous.

However, the rain lifted after the riders turned back from Surrey towards central London, and David and Matthew finished together in The Mall after 13 hours and 53 minutes.

"The power and volume of support on The Mall cannot be captured on TV, nor are there words to describe it," said Mr Toye, "I can only say that the rhythmic drum-beat sound, made by thousands of fists on the bill boarding, seems to go right through you."

The two raised £3,200, twice their initial target, for the cancer charity. They were inspired after David Toye's wife, Christina, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, although she has now made a good recovery.

Mr Toye said he wants to thank everyone who supported them, especially the Worcester St John's Cycle Club, with whom he rode 2,000 miles in training for the challenge.

Comments (7)

Why for breast cancer guys...have you never heard of prostate cancer, which kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women every year...but gets a lot less publicity? There are plenty of women that do the '#race for life' for breast cancer, and exclude men from participation, so men should endeavour to do all they can for their fellow men too.

Why for breast cancer guys...have you never heard of prostate cancer, which kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women every year...but gets a lot less publicity? There are plenty of women that do the '#race for life' for breast cancer, and exclude men from participation, so men should endeavour to do all they can for their fellow men too.willing

willing wrote:
Why for breast cancer guys...have you never heard of prostate cancer, which kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women every year...but gets a lot less publicity? There are plenty of women that do the '#race for life' for breast cancer, and exclude men from participation, so men should endeavour to do all they can for their fellow men too.

did you do race for life then

[quote][p][bold]willing[/bold] wrote:
Why for breast cancer guys...have you never heard of prostate cancer, which kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women every year...but gets a lot less publicity? There are plenty of women that do the '#race for life' for breast cancer, and exclude men from participation, so men should endeavour to do all they can for their fellow men too.[/p][/quote]did you do race for life thenredtail

willing wrote:
Why for breast cancer guys...have you never heard of prostate cancer, which kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women every year...but gets a lot less publicity? There are plenty of women that do the '#race for life' for breast cancer, and exclude men from participation, so men should endeavour to do all they can for their fellow men too.

"They were inspired after David Toye's wife, Christina, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012."
If you had read the article you would not have needed to ask the question.

[quote][p][bold]willing[/bold] wrote:
Why for breast cancer guys...have you never heard of prostate cancer, which kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women every year...but gets a lot less publicity? There are plenty of women that do the '#race for life' for breast cancer, and exclude men from participation, so men should endeavour to do all they can for their fellow men too.[/p][/quote]"They were inspired after David Toye's wife, Christina, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012."
If you had read the article you would not have needed to ask the question.New Kid on the Block

willing wrote:
Why for breast cancer guys...have you never heard of prostate cancer, which kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women every year...but gets a lot less publicity? There are plenty of women that do the '#race for life' for breast cancer, and exclude men from participation, so men should endeavour to do all they can for their fellow men too.

Good grief.....really!? You trying to turn a really good deed into gender wars!?
Someone, for whatever reason, appears to have a chip on their shoulder.

Well done both :-)

[quote][p][bold]willing[/bold] wrote:
Why for breast cancer guys...have you never heard of prostate cancer, which kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women every year...but gets a lot less publicity? There are plenty of women that do the '#race for life' for breast cancer, and exclude men from participation, so men should endeavour to do all they can for their fellow men too.[/p][/quote]Good grief.....really!? You trying to turn a really good deed into gender wars!?
Someone, for whatever reason, appears to have a chip on their shoulder.
Well done both :-)pinkfluff

willing wrote:
Why for breast cancer guys...have you never heard of prostate cancer, which kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women every year...but gets a lot less publicity? There are plenty of women that do the '#race for life' for breast cancer, and exclude men from participation, so men should endeavour to do all they can for their fellow men too.

I'm sure they have their own personal reasons.

When will you be doing your sponsored ride for prostrate cancer?

[quote][p][bold]willing[/bold] wrote:
Why for breast cancer guys...have you never heard of prostate cancer, which kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women every year...but gets a lot less publicity? There are plenty of women that do the '#race for life' for breast cancer, and exclude men from participation, so men should endeavour to do all they can for their fellow men too.[/p][/quote]I'm sure they have their own personal reasons.
When will you be doing your sponsored ride for prostrate cancer?3thinker

willing wrote:
Why for breast cancer guys...have you never heard of prostate cancer, which kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women every year...but gets a lot less publicity? There are plenty of women that do the '#race for life' for breast cancer, and exclude men from participation, so men should endeavour to do all they can for their fellow men too.

I'm sure they have their own personal reasons.

When will you be doing your sponsored ride for prostrate cancer?

[quote][p][bold]willing[/bold] wrote:
Why for breast cancer guys...have you never heard of prostate cancer, which kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women every year...but gets a lot less publicity? There are plenty of women that do the '#race for life' for breast cancer, and exclude men from participation, so men should endeavour to do all they can for their fellow men too.[/p][/quote]I'm sure they have their own personal reasons.
When will you be doing your sponsored ride for prostrate cancer?3thinker